Endorsement of the National Coordination on Adaptation and Resilience for Security (NCARS) Act of 2026
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) proudly endorses the bipartisan National Coordination on Adaptation and Resilience for Security (NCARS) Act of 2026. FAS commends the leadership of Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA-50) and Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) in the House, and Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in the Senate, who are introducing this important legislation to establish a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to building national resilience against the escalating threats posed by extreme weather and other natural hazards.
The NCARS Act would amend the National Security Act of 1947 to establish a durable, coordinated federal approach to national resilience. The Act directs the President to designate a Chief Resilience Officer within the National Security Council to develop a National Resilience Strategy and accompanying implementation plan. Grounded in the best available science, the Strategy would help federal agencies prioritize investments against the most urgent hazards; reduce duplication and waste; harmonize how state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners access federal resilience funding; and strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure and military installations. The Act also directs the creation of a public adaptation and resilience clearinghouse and requires independent Government Accountability Office assessments to measure progress over time.
“As extreme weather disrupts supply chains, displaces populations, destroys critical infrastructure, and threatens military readiness, it’s clear that resilience is more than a value – it’s a national security and economic imperative. The Pentagon’s own assessment found that two-thirds of its most critical installations are already exposed to hazards like flooding, drought, and wildfire. Resilience is also one of the most cost-effective investments that government can make, with every dollar spent preparing for hazards saving six times that in disaster response. The Federation of American Scientists is proud to support the National Coordination on Adaptation and Resilience for Security (NCARS) Act of 2026, which would sensibly strengthen federal resilience planning and coordination, relying on the best available science to build a stronger and more secure nation,” says Dr. Hannah Safford, Associate Director of Climate and Environment at the Federation of American Scientists.
For more information, contact Gil Ruiz at GRuiz@FAS.org or Hannah Safford at HSafford@FAS.org.
The NCARS Act would amend the National Security Act of 1947 to establish a durable, coordinated federal approach to national resilience.
Nearly 150 organizations and government officials have endorsed the call to action and solutions for extreme heat, now public at HeatAgenda.US Washington, D.C. – July 7, 2026 – As millions of Americans continue to struggle to stay cool following one of the hottest Independence Day holidays on record, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), one […]
Addressing rising heat will take all of us. Together, we can create heat-safe homes, workplaces, schools, childcare facilities, and communities – the backbone of a heat-ready nation.
If you’re new to the climate intervention space, welcome! The TL;DR: if we can’t stop the most catastrophic impacts of climate change with current tools quickly enough, then we need a bigger toolbox.